Recording service (99.12) and other USB devices problem

[bitjockey]

I'm a GBPVR noob (1 week), but been messing with various Windows & Linux alternatives intermittently for several years. Must say that so far, GBPVR holds by far the most promise of anything I've messed with.

My setup initially: Plextor TV402U on a several year old Win2K P4 2.4 desktop; installed latest Plextor and Intervideo stuff...no config problems. However, while the recording service is running, I notice intermittent USB eject issues with my USB devices (TDK DVD burner, USB external hard drive). The usual Windows pop-up displays saying that I've removed a USB device improperly, etc. This happens while GBPVR itself isn't running...merely the recording service is loaded. Needless to say, it messes up file transfers to the USB HD, or DVD burns to the external burner. Viewing Task Manager, I see that the recording service is spiking in CPU utilization from 2-7% when idle..not sure why.

When I manually stop the recording service, I never see any further USB problems; DVD burns and HD transfers work perfectly.

What is it about the recording service (even when idle), that it disrupts other USB activity...anyone seen this before?

Yesterday, I migrated my setup to an aging notebook that I wanted to recycle (5 yr old HP ZT1155, 512MB RAM, S3 ProSavage DDR). First attempts had probs; no video on watching live TV, blue screen errors, then later, recordings were very jittery and unwatchable. Many hours later after many tweaks, all solved. Unlike what someone else here reported, I had no probs using the "high quality" settings for my recordings. Looks pretty good on my 56" DLP TV using the PC interface.

[sub]

My setup initially: Plextor TV402U on a several year old Win2K P4 2.4 desktop; installed latest Plextor and Intervideo stuff...no config problems. However, while the recording service is running, I notice intermittent USB eject issues with my USB devices (TDK DVD burner, USB external hard drive). The usual Windows pop-up displays saying that I've removed a USB device improperly, etc. This happens while GBPVR itself isn't running...merely the recording service is loaded. Needless to say, it messes up file transfers to the USB HD, or DVD burns to the external burner. Viewing Task Manager, I see that the recording service is spiking in CPU utilization from 2-7% when idle..not sure why.

When I manually stop the recording service, I never see any further USB problems; DVD burns and HD transfers work perfectly.

This isnt really a GB-PVR type of issue, but it might be caused by flakey TV402U drivers (which they are), or maybe a power issue across multiple USB devices?

Its been a very long time since I used my TV402U, but the machine never filter stable when this device was in use (regardless of app). I'd get the occasional BSOD or lockup, or jittery recordings etc. Other device like the Hauppauge ones just felt so much more stable.

Sorry, I know thats not particularly helpful, but I dont really have any suggestions for you to try.

[bitjockey]

Thanks, didn't expect any real suggestions, just wanted to throw this out there in case someone else searches for the same problem.

Don't think it's a USB power issue (doesn't matter whether the Plextor USB is actually connected, or if the GB-PVR app is loaded). Just the mere presence of the recording service is enough to intermittently kill any other USB devices attached.

Pretty easy to stop the recording service when I'm not using it, no worries.

Unfortunately I have no history w previous releases to test against.

OT: spent 3 weeks a few months ago in NZ, mostly south island, tramping, kayaking...quite enjoyed it, despite the coldest December on record.